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Monday, September 12, 2011

Unhealthy Outdoorsman: Priorities

No weigh-in yet this week. Been pretty good on my meals and did a 1.75 mile walk yesterday so I'm expecting a pound or two loss. Guess we'll see.

I've been thinking alot about holding myself responsible lately and I wanted to type out some thoughts on it.

When Paul first convinced me to post about my weight loss on here, we got on the subject of gym memberships. I had said I can't afford one (I really couldn't at the time, such is the life of someone who gets paid on commission.) and Paul said something that stuck with me. It was to the effect that I needed to get uncomfortable and go without things I might WANT to get something I NEED.

Fast forward a couple months and 19 lost pounds. I find myself feeling guilty that my awesome wife bought me a membership to a Sportsmen's Club for my birthday. Sure, I'm stoked to (soon) have access to 6 shooting ranges, 2 archery ranges, a stocked lake, and weekly trap/bullseye/USPSA/etc events. (Did I mention how awesome my wife is?) But, with the money we spent on that annual membership, I could have gotten most of an annual membership to a gym and adding in regular exercise to my new lifestyle.

Now, a couple weeks later, I have some spare cash from my birthday and sales have been better at work. I have a choice. To get myself out deer hunting (and have a chance) I need camo, boots (like seriously. I have my KSOs and old running shoes. That's it.), and scent masking product. (That's at a minimum) If I buy bottom of the barrel clearance, we're looking at AT LEAST $125. Seriously. (Have you looked into 5XLT camo and size 16 boots? Madness. They know you have no alternative so it's either buy junk or pay out the wazoo.)

So I can pay all that money, blunder into the woods a few times and hopefully (but probably not, according to every hunter I've talked to) get a deer my first year out.

OR...

I could get a membership to a gym, speed up my weight loss, get into smaller clothes that cost less, (hopefully) lose a hundred pounds by next season so I'm not huffing and puffing and scaring all the deer off (and maybe actually find a treestand to hold me), get toned up a bit as a gift back to my wife, and not die of a heart attack at 30.

So I'll be getting a gym membership before any more hunting supplies or a new gun (God, that hurts much more than the hunting, I've been jonesing for my first handgun). Hope nobody minds the lack of hunting content on here for another year.

Should be weighing in tomorrow or wednesday, hopefully I'll be below the 460 mark. I'll keep you guys updated.

12 comments:

I'd hold off on the clothes because next year you'll be TOO THIN to fit into what ever clothes you buy now! Get the boots if you can swing them however, after you join the gym. Between the gym and your Sportsmans Club, you will be too busy to eat, you'll be way more active and MUCH healthier. Way to go!

Kim- Thanks for your email on Charter Fitness. I would've been totally turned off by the fee and contract they brought up if you hadn't told me its par for the course.

Anybody else that reads this - I found a place called Charter Fitness that is only having me pay about $11 this month to get started! (then $20/mo after that for me AND my wife!) So I might still be able to get those boots I need or keep saving for that handgun.

I think the low startup is because they just rebranded from Cardinal Fitness and they're doing a "grand re-opening" deal. If anyone has a Cardinal Fitness near them, they should check it out.

I'm going back tonight to finalize my membership and do my first workout.

Hey Mark go for the healthy alternative it will pay off long term. If you are still wanting to hunt just go out without the expensive gear. I shot my 2nd deer wearing sweat pants and an orange coat after spending the night cooking at a smoke filled restaurant. I am enjoying your quest for a pistol also.

Thanks Tonto. Actually, I have good news. Charter fitness let me join with $10 up front! So I still have a little bit of extra cash.

Pretty sure I'm gonna grab some boots with it first of all. It's really not safe to be walking around in wooded areas in running shoes. (Remind me to tell the story of my emergency room trip after my first time fishing with Clif sometime. Just need to swallow my pride first.)

Deer hunting @ Jubilee S.P.,open day expect a huge crowd.In the past there's been over a 100 hunters per day.Crowds thin out as season goes on...still worth trying.Don't over look Banner Marsh,another close-by spot for deer.